What is the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)?
In Alberta, the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Regulation and Code set the health and safety requirements for provincially regulated businesses. The OHSA is enforced by Alberta Occupational Health and Safety, through inspections, investigation and prosecutions.
Employer Responsibilities Under the OHSA
Alberta employers must protect the health and safety of their workers by preventing injury, illnesses and death in the workplace. To ensure that employers fulfill this duty, the Occupational Health and Safety Act requires employers to do the following:
- Keep the workplace safe by protecting, training and supervising employees
- Educate employees on their rights under OHSA
- Consult the health and safety representative or joint health and safety committee when resolving workplace health and safety concerns
- Cooperate with employees complying with OHSA
- Provide employees with information on hazards and health and safety in the workplace, including a copy of the OHSA
- Develop a health and safety policy and program
Check to make sure you are fulfilling these criteria in your workplace. Is your business compliant with the OHSA?
Establishing a Health and Safety Representative or Joint Health and Safety Committee
The OHSA requires employers to have a health and safety representative or joint health and safety committee to help assess and protect the workplace. Based on the number of employees, a business must have one or the other:
- 5-19 employees: health and safety representative
- 20 or more employees: joint health and safety committee
Alternative health and safety measures must have the Director’s approval.
Need help complying with the Occupation Health and Safety Act?
Speak to our health and safety advisors to find out what you need to do to keep your business up to date with the Alberta OHSA. We can help you comply with the OHS Act, Regulation and Code: 1-888-207-0657